WORCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Massachusetts school is redefining itself to meet its student’s needs by turning something old into something new. Now, the school is getting national attention.

Damian Negron, 14, is a high school sophomore learning all about auto repair.

At first glance the classes, which include welding, carpentry and engineering, look like traditional vocation training. But this is not your grandfather’s trade school -- it’s Worcester Technical High. The school has combined the best vocational education with advanced college prep courses.

The school was once considered the lowest performing high school in Worcester, but now the school has a 96 percent graduation rate. Math proficiency soared from 4 percent to 74 percent and 77 percent of students go on to college.

The school owes a lot to a private businessman who raised millions for the public school and convinced companies the students were worth the investment.